NCAA

Jarin expects big things from Mocon: ‘He’s just gonna get better’

Norman Lee Benjamin Riego on Jun 23, 2016 03:06 PM

RISING STAR. Javee Mocon is ready and raring to carry a heavier burden now in his third season with a San Beda side that just lost its holy trinity of Ola Adeogun, Baser Amer, and Art dela Cruz.

San Beda College, the modern-day dynasty in the NCAA, had a holy trinity of Ola Adeogun – bar none, the most Filipinized foreign student in college – as well as Baser Amer and Art dela Cruz – who both eventually turned into first-round selections in the PBA Draft.

However, it was a then second-year player who shone brightest for the Red Lions in the biggest stage of them all: the Finals against archrival Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

Sophomore forward Javee Mocon averaged 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in the three-game championship series. More importantly, he keyed the Game Two win that kept his squad in the hunt for a fifth title in a row – even prompting outspoken coach Jamike Jarin to express, “I’m at a loss for words for Baser and Javee.”

San Beda eventually fell short and had to settle for a runner-up finish, but they may had just gotten for themselves their next go-to-guy.

Fast forward to now, with the new season set to commence, and Jarin remains impressed with the continued development of his now third-year versatile forward. As he put it, “The good thing about it is he has had tremendous improvement on and off the court.”

He then continued with a smile, “The best thing about it is he’s got three more years. He’s just gonna get better.”

Indeed, in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Tournament, Mocon took on more of the scoring load for the Red Lions. He was effective both inside and outside and also held his own at the other end.

What remains to be seen, however, is if he will also be able to take on more of the leadership burden now that Mendiola’s holy trinity is long gone. Well aware of the newer, bigger challenge in front of him, he said, “Nakakapanibago nga kasi pag nandyan sila Baser, I look up to them. Ngayon, iba na, they look up to me na.”

Indeed, as a sign of leadership, the Tarlac native was quick to dismiss notions that this year’s lineup is San Beda’s weakest in recent history and as such, they find themselves in an unusual position in the backseat behind fancied frontrunner Arellano University. “We’ll just have to prove them wrong. We’re hoing to bring the crown back to Mendiola,” he confidently asserted.